A DOZEN QUESTIONS - NO. 15 - SPECIAL GUEST: COLIN BREEN

A DOZEN QUESTIONS

(NO.15)

The Pivot Questionnaire comprises 10 questions. I have seen it used on the television show Inside The Actor's Studio, presented by James Lipton. Apparently Proust was the original inspiration. The modern questions originated on a French TV show called Bouillon de Culture, hosted by Bernard Pivot. I have expanded the questions to 12.

(For the time being, this idea is restricted to Northern Ireland's creative artists in any field, literature, music, broadcasting, etc. If you are one and are interested in taking part as well as promoting your work, please get in touch via joecushnan@aol.com)

This post's special guest is Colin Breen. His book “A Force Like no Other” published before Christmas 2017 to great reviews was a bestseller and has just been reprinted. 

I blogged about Colin's book and here is the link: https://droppedthemoon.blogspot.co.uk/2017/10/book-review-force-like-no-other-by.html

The book inspired an article I wrote for the Belfast Telegraph https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/life/features/joe-cushnan-once-viewed-ruc-as-force-to-fear-but-now-he-can-see-the-other-side-36294852.html

The book is published by Blackstaff Press https://blackstaffpress.com/product/force-like-no-real-stories-ruc-men-women-policed-troubles/

Colin is currently working on the screenplay for a major movie and two documentaries. A freelance journalist, screenwriter and broadcaster, he has written extensively for many newspapers including the Belfast Telegraph and Sunday Life, and is a regular commentator on local and national radio, television and BBC World Service. He served as an officer in the Royal Ulster Constabulary for over fourteen years at the height of "the troubles".

COLIN BREEN’S DOZEN ANSWERS

1. What is your favourite word? Responsibility

2. What is your least favourite word? Wee, as in wee signature, wee name, wee address etc

3. What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally? People, good and bad

4. What turns you off? People who care about nothing

5. What is your favourite song? Tangled Up In Blue by Bob Dylan, depending on my mood

6. What is your favourite film? The Shawshank Redemption

7. What is your favourite curse word? F**k as a verb or an adjective

8. What sound or noise do you love? Uncontrolled laughter

9. What sound or noise do you hate? The telephone ringing in the middle of the night

10. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? Barrister

11. What profession would you not like to do? Drain/sewer cleaner. Not great with bad smells

12. If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates? “Welcome, you’re on Cloud 9, just beside the bar

Colin Breen, thank you for your dozen answers to a dozen questions.

Previous posts:

Singer/songwriter Mandy Bingham – 17 January 2018

Poet Colin Dardis – 18 January 2018

Writer & Independent Researcher Anne-Marie Quigg – 19 January 2018

Broadcaster Gerry Kelly - 20 January 2018

Writer George Larmour – 22 January 2018

Journalist/writer Geoff Hill – 23 January 2018

Singer/Songwriter Janet Henry - 24 January 2018

Broadcaster Lynette Fay - 25 January 2018

Actor Michael Smiley – 26 January 2018

Singer/songwriter Paddy Nash – 27 January 2018

Singer/songwriter Edelle McMahon – 29 January 2018

Broadcaster Kathy Clugston – 30 January 2018

Singer/songwriter Brigid O’Neill – 31 January 2018

Singer/songwriter Stephen Dunwoody - 1 February 2018

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